Artist Profile

Nick Helm

WINNER OF BEST STAND UP COMEDY ACT AT THE WHAT'S ON LONDON AWARDS 2016

NOMINATED FOR BEST SCRIPTED ONLINE SHORT AT THE BROADCAST DIGITAL AWARDS 2016

NOMINATED FOR BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE FOR ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY AWARDS 2016

NOMINATED FOR BAFTA BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM 2016

WINNER OF BEST MUSIC AND VARIETY ARTIST WITH THE CHORTLE AWARDS 2015

WINNER OF BEST BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST WITH THE BRITISH COMEDY AWARDS 2014

WINNER OF THE TIMES BREAKTHROUGH AWARD AT THE SOUTH BANK SKY ARTS AWARDS 2014

NOMINEE BEST SHOW FOSTER’S EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS 2013

LOADED LAFTAS BEST NEWCOMER AWARD 2013

NOMINEE BEST SHOW FOSTER’S EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS 2011

DAVE'S FUNNIEST JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2011

CHORTLE'S TOP TEN GIGS OF 2011

T4'S RISING STARS OF 2012 : COMEDY

NOMINEE LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL BEST SHOW 2011

NOMINEE CHORTLE BEST BREAKTHROUGH ACT 2011

DAVE'S TOP 10 STAND-UPS TO CATCH IN 2011

BBC Three's Uncle has been re-commissioned for a third series and filmed in the Summer of 2016.

Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment was first aired BBC Three on 5th May 2015.

Since starting stand-up comedy in 2007, the talented and enthusiastic Nick Helm quickly gained attention from across the industry for his unique, powerful and above all hilarious blend of one-liners, stories, poems and songs.

2016 is the year of the nominations, Nick has been BAFTA nominated for his short film Elephant, nominated for aRoyal Television Society Award for his performance in BBC's Uncle, and nominated for a Broadcast Digital Award for Best Scripted Short (Elephant). Additionally, Nick released a new successful album Nick Helm Is F*cking Amazing (available on iTunes and bandcamp now) and released it on the world at a large album launch at The O2 Forum in Spring 2016.

2015 saw Uncle season 2 air on BBC Three from 10th February 2015. Nick also directed, starred in and co-wrote Elephant; a BBC online short film as part of the Funny Valentines series. The short was so successful that BBC extended its availability online and it was subsequently selected to be screened at BFI's London Film Festival 2015. The Girl In The Dress, a short starring Nick, was also selected by BFI for the 2015 London Film Festival. In May of 2015 Nick guest appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4). Nick's first solo series Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment first aired on May 5th 2015 (BBC Three) and has been well received. Nick also starred in Susan Calman's Sisters for BBC Radio 4 alongside Ashley Jensen, which aired in August 2015. Nick has also started his year with winning Best Music and Variety Artist with the Chortle Awards.

Nick Helm and Esther Smith's short film - Elephant - was chosen to be screened at BFI's London Film Festival and Bristol's Encounters Film Festival. Elephant has since been BAFTA nominated (2016). In addition, The Girl In The Dress, a short film starring Nick was chosen to be in BFI's London Film Festival as part of their London Calling category.

2015 also saw the start of Helm's Angels, a limited run of comedy evenings in partnership with Glorious Management. Helm's Angels was a monthly evening in London's Soho and was a complete sell-out success. Nick also took his first tour show across the UK which was another success!

2014 was a busy year for Nick. Uncle was re-commissioned, Nick’s own show Heavy Entertainment was recorded in summer. He won the South Bank Sky Arts Awards - The Times Breakthrough Award 2014 as well as Best BreakthroughAct with the British Comedy Awards. Nick continued with Live work, with a sell-out two week run at Soho Theatre over the Christmas period.

2013 was an incredible year for Nick. Uncle was commissioned by the BBC and had a successful first series on BBC Three. His new album Hot 'n' Heavy was released on iTunes & CD. He recorded the pilot of a new show, which has been commissioned by BBC Three. The Nick Helm Pilot Spectacular was aired on October 4th 2013. He has regularly appeared on 8 Out Of 10 Cats. Finally, his new show Nick Helm: One Man Mega Myth was taken to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was nominated for the prestigious 2013 Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award.

2012 saw Nick's third solo show This Means War, was a sell-out run in the Edinburgh Festival. Nick also recorded a pilot for Radio 4 and starred in Uncle on Channel 4.

In 2011, Nick took his second hour show Dare To Dream to the Edinburgh Festival where he was nominated for the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show and also filmed two episodes of new programme Show And Tell for E4.

In 2010, Nick headed up to Edinburgh in two shows. He was seen at the Big Value Early Show at Just the Tonic @ the Caves. He also performed his solo show Keep Hold Of The Gold Downstairs at the Tron, which became one of the must-see shows of the festival, garnering huge attention from across the industry and rave reviews from the press.

Alongside his solo stand up, he is also half of the double act Helm & Taylor (with our very own Paul F Taylor) and reached the final of the Laughing Horse Competition 2009. He was the creator of the innovative My First Gig, a live comedy night where stand ups dissect their first ever performances. My First Gig enjoyed a stint on Resonance 104.4 FM Radio. Alongside all of this, Nick has also been a regular contributor to the Fix Magazine as the Film Editor.

To book Nick Helm for voiceover work please contact Lip Service.

TV

Celebrity Storage Hunters, UKTV 2016

Wasteman Pilot, Left Bank 2016

Top 10 Things That Depressed Me Today, BBC Online 2016

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Channel 4 2016

Filthy Dirty Food, North One 2016

Arnie's Greatest Stunts, Channel 5 2016

Celebrity Mastermind, BBC One 2016

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, DAVE 2015

Live At The Apollo, BBC Two 2015

Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, Comedy Central 2015

Top 30 Disaster Movies, Channel 5 2015

Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment, BBC Three 2015

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Channel 4 2015

Elephant, BBC iPlayer 2015

Uncle BBC Three 2015

Sweat the Small Stuff BBC Three 2014

Go 8 Bit, Pilot 2014

Uncle BBC Three 2014

Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment BBC 2013

8 Out Of 10 Cats Channel 4 2013

Uncle 4Funnies Channel 4 2012

Live at the Electric Avalon BBC 2012

8 Out of 10 Cats Zeppotron 2012

Walk on the Wild Side BBC CBBC March 2012

BBC Three @ The Fringe BBC BBC3 2011

Show and Tell with Chris Addison Tinderbox Television E4 2011

Russel Howard’s Good News Extra Avalon BBC3 2010

Big Babies BBC CBBC 2010

COMMERCIALS

IKEA Advert Poland

RADIO

Don't Make Me Laugh Radio 4

Susan Calman's Sisters Radio 4

Alex Horne Presents Radio 4

It’s Your Round Radio 4

What’s So Funny Radio 4

What Happens in … Avalon for Radio 2

LIVE

Nick Helm Is F*cking Amazing Album Launch (o2 Forum) 2016

Christmas F*ckfest 2015

Tour Of The North 2015

Latitude 2015

Reading Festival 2015

Leeds Festival 2015

V Festival 2015

Mach Comedy Festival 2015

Helm's Angels 2015

Manwatching 2015

Nick Helm Merry Christmas MotherF**kers 2014

Nick Helm: Two Night Stand in The Grand 2014

Nick Helm: One Man Mega - Myth 2013

This Means War 2012

Dare to Dream 2011

Keep hold of the gold 2010

Bad things happen in trees 2009

Acaster, Helm & Widdicombe – Live at the Voodoo bar 2009

My first gig 2009

I think, you stink! 2008

Grab your coats love… It’s Helm & Taylor 2008

Comedy o’clock 2008

The super great comedy good show 2007

A third of the way done 2007

Stroke 2006

Love-life 2004

Beyond the magic kingdom 2004

Christmas Tree 2002

Air Freshner 2001

PRESS

HEAVY ENTERTAINMENT 2015

"It’s doing a pretty good job of capturing what makes Helm distinctive on stage." The Guardian

"The comedian has long been a fiery force on the live circuit, a potent mix of soft-voiced fragility and visceral showmanship. An exciting comic presence." The Times

"A smorgasbord of delights. Helm is a comic tour de force, and then some." The Mail on Sunday ★★★★,

ELEPHANT 2015

UNCLE 2014

“It’s great fun, with Helm irresistible as a modern day Uncle Buck.” The Times

“There’s a touching pathos to the dark humour in this promising new comedy.” Metro

“There’s depth and amusement here.” Daily Mail

“Dark and twisted, but strangely sweet in the middle.” Mail on Sunday

“Comedian and musician Nick Helm stars in this hilarious new sitcom” The Sun

ONE MAN MEGA MYTH (Edinburgh 2013)

The List ★★★★★

The Evening Standard

★★★★

Chortle

★★★★

"Pretty f*cking amazing. A true comedy daredevil." Time Out ★★★★

THIS MEANS WAR (Edinburgh 2012)

“This is live comedy at its most enthralling.” FringeGuru

★★★★

“This Means War is another full-on assault on the senses of humour, dignity and pathos. It ain’t pretty, but it is hilarious.” Chortle

★★★★

DARE TO DREAM (Edinburgh 2011)

“Top tip – the utterly full on Nick Helm.” The Evening Standard

“This heaving, lovably shambolic show is the most fun you will have in a portacabin. This is a wonderfully crazy funny hour with a man who. The funniest, most loveable monster you are ever going to see dancing on bubble wrap.” Kate Copstick, The Scotsman

★★★★

“And talking of Edinburgh sophomores, a quick word on Nick Helm: mixing cock-rock swagger, an ear-blasting bellow and the emotional dilapidation of a young Johnny Vegas, Helm turns things up to 11 with the riotous Dare to Dream. I wouldn't be surprised to see him among this week's Comedy Award nominees.” The Independent

“Massively enjoyable and with plenty of brilliant touches.” London Is Funny

★★★★

“Where To Go And What To See : Like a Jack Black with an English accent, Nick Helm produces an unholy cocktail of pelvis-thrusting swagger, crippling self-doubt, edgy audience participation and dismal songs and poetry. Dare to dream is also one of the funniest sets you'll see all year, anywhere.” Daily Telegraph

“Dare to Dream may just be the funniest show on the Fringe.” London Evening Standard

★★★★

“Not to be missed.” Broadway Baby

★★★★

“Inspired anarchy.” Scotsman On Sunday

“A genuinely unique comedy brain. It makes for a tremendously liberating show, and one where you feel you’re in the presence of a potential megastar.” The Guardian

“Don't miss: A star is born, OK, a rather paunchy, aggressive, lovelorn, unshaven star, who divides his time between melodic-rock anthems, reading us his poetry and molesting the front row. But, still, Helm is properly funny: Johnny Vegas reborn as the roadie for an AC/DC tribute band." Dominic Maxwell, Saturday Times

“For Nick Helm’s is one of those rare sets where you’re never quite sure what you’re watching, or where the act starts and stops — you’re just nervously grateful that you’re there.... genuinely exciting.” The Telegraph ★★★★★

“An absolute riot. It is fantastic fun. It's a great show." STV

“Mournfully and explosively funny, with a palpable edge of unpredictably to his supercharged performance. There is no comic quite like Nick Helm. Comedy should be thankful that there is one of him; and equally thankful that there is no more than one of him.” Chortle

★★★★

“A show with this much heart cannot fail to make a big impression." Festmag ★★★★

One To Watch by The Evening Standard

“Nick Helm gives Pleasance Press launch a good old kicking. The fantastic Helm, who is surely worth catching if you can scrape a ticket for his show.” STV

"If they were all as laugh-out-loud funny as Nick Helm the time would just fly by. An exciting comedian." The Times

★★★★

Listed as one of “6 Not To Miss Comedians” The Times

“A newcomer to watch, Helm's shouty lovelorn loser persona is winningly memorable. His stunning 2010 show majored on audience participation - at one point only one fan was still in their seat while everyone else was onstage. Hilarious songs too.” The London Evening Standard '25 Reasons To Go The Edinburgh Festival’

"The comic's erratic, confrontational and hilarious routines- sometimes as simple as a pun delivered with such raspy vitriol that leaves the front row cowering - also encompasses sing-along guitar songs and poetry." The Brighton Argus Feature

"Helm is aggressive, coercive and, once you’ve got used to his growly exterior, a comic to relish. Anyone who can get an entire audience to join him on stage (as he did last year), making the discomfort something to relish rather than endure, is on to something. An outside bet for this year’s breakthrough act." The Times

KEEP HOLD OF THE GOLD (Edinburgh 2010)

"He didn’t make the shortlist but Nick Helm should have been a top contender for the newcomer nominations. A big, bearded, volatile, bruiser of a man (think Justin Lee Collins with anger control issues), his Keep Hold Of The Gold show demonstrates that when life gives you lemons it makes you feel better if you scream in life’s face.

Helm’s volume level rarely strays below that of an enthusiastic Brian Blessed and his confrontational manner won’t be to everyone’s taste but, as a back story about his broken love life unfolds,there is a terrible, tragic vulnerability to his foam-flecked rants. Underneath the inventive swearing, audience-baiting and stalker love songs, there is a well honed set of comic techniques at work. It’s raw, bracing and a hundred more times involving than a conventional stand-up gig." Scotsman on Sunday

“Nick Helm will be the breakout act of this Fringe – or at least he ought to be if there’s any justice. It’s a real blast.” Chortle

★★★★

“A brilliant and frequently hilarious hour of entertainment. Helm demonstrates he is fast becoming a master at his art with a clever and brave routine. It's impressive. Excellent entertainment value. Leaves the audience on a massive high. This is worth every penny.” British Comedy Guide ★★★★½

“Big presence. Charming, very funny and a fine showcase for this young comic’s burgeoning career. Very subtle wryness to his humour. Touching, original.” Fest

“Boisterous but sensitive in a manner that suggests he's had a bowl full of Johnny Vegas for breakfast.” Edinburgh is Funny

TOP 20 SHOWS – Fringe Review

“As skilled with a witty one-liner as he is with a poem or a song.” Edinburgh Spotlight

“He is loud, brash and very very funny, thoroughly entertaining. Exceptionally well written songs that, once you get into his style of humour, are not only hysterical but also have a very poignant message to express. A very enjoyable experience overall.” Hairline

★★★★

STAND UP

"Now this is more like it! Shouty Nick Helm is doing what he promised from the outset and 'kicked this gig in the dick'. He growls out his 'six jokes' - which are OK, but his 'back of the net' style kickers are what sells it. A surprisingly jaunty song aimed the object of his desire cements his status as someone who demands attention. The aggressive, borderline unhinged persona, treating the audience like time wasting idiots, is the selling point, but the gags and observations are strongly written, too. It's something of a game of chicken with the audience at times to see who will break first -such as his stupidly extended story about the sun and the wind, but the bitterness in the payoff is worth hanging around for. Rarely has a gig seemed more like a hostage situation, but this grizzly bear of a comic is the perfect festival act." Chortle

"Nick Helm, whose brutal aggression gave a real edge to a sleepy gig, before revealing he's a lost teddy-bear really." Chortle

"Nick is an up and coming comedian who wears his heart on his sleeve -and it is broken. The energy Nick generates on stage is truly infectious, with his last show being a gorgeous blend of one liners, poems, songs and furious rants about his ex girlfriends. He’s livid and I love him for it." Dave's Top 10 Stand-Ups to Catch in 2011

“Explores relationships with deadpan humour and fierce intelligence, savagely written, slickly staged, and performed with panache. A dizzying dance macabre that salutes the best of black comedy without pandering to it.” The Scotsman